Sipho Masombuka

Allegations that Transport Minister Jeff Radebe's entourage exceeded the speed limit after the launch of the National Road Safety Project in Pretoria, in December, were unfounded.

Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana said in Pretoria yesterday that the complaint had been dismissed after thorough investigations.

The complaint was lodged with the Public Protector by IFP chief whip Koos van der Merwe after Beeld, a daily Afrikaans newspaper, published an article saying Radebe's convoy exceeded the speed limit despite urging motorists to refrain from speeding.

Van der Merwe held the view that the minister acted improperly by allowing his driver to exceed the speed limit.

But investigations found that since the complaint was solely based on Beeld's report, it was unclear on what basis the allegations had been made.

Mushwana said the refusal by a Beeld official to cooperate with the investigations resulted in the statements made in the report being unsupported by additional and corroborative evidence.

Meanwhile the office of the Public Protector has found no misconduct in the appointment of Moses Moadira as the City of Matlosana municipal manager.

"It would have been unlawful and discriminatory to exclude Moadira from being considered for the position on the premise of charges based on an investigation that did not apply the right to reply principle," said Mushwana.